Malaysian TV channel Astro Ria‘s remake of ABS-CBN‘s hit primetime show “The Legal Wife” is making waves and topping the TV ratings chart in Malaysia since its premiere last February.
The adaptation “Isteri Halal,” which currently airs weeknights on Astro’s cable channel, Astro Ria, has been enjoying high TV viewership from Malaysian viewers as it leads the TV ratings race in the 6 PM timeslot, based on DTAM’s report dated April 29, 2023. Meanwhile, netizens have been talking about “Isteri Halal” on social media, garnering millions of views across Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
Produced by Radius One, the show stays true to the original series while highlighting Malaysian culture that appeals to its local audience—starring Malaysia’s award-winning actors Isyariana Che Azmi, Aidit Noh, and Uqasha Senrose.
First shown locally in the Philippines in 2014, “The Legal Wife” stars Angel Locsin, Maja Salvador, and Asia’s Prince of Drama Jericho Rosales, which revolves around two childhood friends—both yearning for a father’s love and eventually the same man, entangling them in an affair filled with lust, deceit, and betrayal.
Astro Ria’s head Norzeha Mohd Salleh expressed delight with the show’s overall quality and its reception from local audiences.
“The combination of its great cast and a great director makes ‘Isteri Halal’ a must-watch nightly, certainly living up to the standards set by the original ABS-CBN series. We are also delighted with the viewership feats it has amassed since its premiere, and we are overwhelmed with the support from our avid audiences,” Norzeha addressed.
Before the continued success of “Isteri Halal,” Astro first adapted ABS-CBN’s 2009 drama series “Tayong Dalawa” entitled “Angkara Cinta,” which ended its run as the most-watched show on Astro Prima in 2020.
Apart from “Isteri Halal” and “Angkara Cinta,” other ABS-CBN shows were adapted internationally, particularly in Turkey with the Turkish remakes of “Hanggang Saan” and “The Good Son.”
Selling over 50,000 hours of content to over 50 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, ABS-CBN continues its pursuit in producing and distributing world class Filipino shows all over the world.